The Twelve
Twelve elemental forces that breathe life into Etheirys and guide the fate of all who walk its lands.
The Twelve are a pantheon of deities that were created after Hydaelyn, existing as vast concentrations of aetheric energy that oversee the fundamental elements shaping Etheirys and governing its natural laws. Unlike traditional gods who dwell in a distant heaven, these entities often manifest through avatars or artifacts to interact with mortals. They represent concepts such as light, fire, water, wind, earth, and ice, but notably do not include a single lightning deity; Rhalgr, for instance, is associated with destruction and storms rather than lightning alone.
- Nature
- Aetheric Entities / Primordial Deities
- Domain
- Etheirys (The World)
- Manifestation
- Avatars, Crystals, and Artifacts
- Worshippers
- Various Nations and Orders across the source world
- Status
- Active but often distant from mortal affairs
Lore & Background
Despite their immense power, the Twelve are not omnipotent in a human sense; they are sustained by mortal faith and prayers, and their power wanes without worship. This reliance on belief means that as civilizations rise and fall, the Twelve's ability to intervene fluctuates, though their direct interventions are rare and not canonically tied to events such as the conflicts surrounding the Garlean Empire or the aftermath of the Seventh Umbral Calamity.
In Their Own Story
The wind howled across the high peaks of Coerthas, carrying with it a chill that bit deeper than any winter storm. A lone summoner knelt in the snow, hands trembling as they traced the ancient sigil carved into the stone altar before them. The air grew heavy, smelling of ozone and old rain. Suddenly, the clouds parted not by wind, but by a crack of thunder that seemed to shake the very stars. From the lightning came a figure of pure energy, eyes burning with the fury of the storm god itself. It did not speak in words, yet the summoner felt a command resonate in their soul: protect the light, for darkness is rising.
Reader's Guide
The Twelve function as the ultimate source of magical power within Etheirys. Mages and summoners do not generate magic internally but instead draw upon the ambient aether that these deities permeate throughout the world. To wield their power, practitioners must align their own spirit with a specific deity's domain through study, faith, or ritual. This connection allows them to channel elemental forces like fire, ice, or lightning into spells and abilities. While any mage can tap into this energy, true masters often act as vessels for the gods' will. In extreme cases, such as during the summoning of primal-like manifestations, a deity may temporarily inhabit an avatar to fight alongside mortals against existential threats.
Did You Know?
- The Twelve are distinct from Primals; while Primals are created by mortal belief and can be summoned into physical forms, the Twelve are native to the world's structure.
- Contrary to some claims, there is no canonical list of exclusive crystal types for each deity; their manifestations vary.
- The concept of the Twelve varies slightly between different regions of Etheirys due to cultural interpretations and historical schisms.
- Rhalgr is not the lightning deity among the Twelve; he is associated with destruction and storms, and the Twelve do not have a single lightning deity in the way described.
More in Combat & Abilities
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